Vein Doctors Sydney

Vein Specialists for the Northern Beaches and North Shore

Varicose vein treatment

Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA)

Endovenous laser ablation closes the faulty vein from the inside with laser energy, through a needle. Like radiofrequency ablation, it has long-term evidence and a low chance of the vein reopening.

Done as day surgery at the Mater HospitalWalk out the same daySame price as radiofrequency or glue

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Manly St Leonards

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Not for urgent medical concerns. In an emergency, call 000.

How it works

How laser ablation works

A thin laser fibre is passed into the faulty vein through a needle in the skin, guided by ultrasound. As the fibre is slowly withdrawn, the laser heats and seals the vein wall.

Blood then flows through the healthy veins instead, and the closed vein is gradually absorbed. Visible surface veins are usually treated at the same time with sclerotherapy or phlebectomy.

Dr Ryan McConnell during an imaging-guided vein procedure
01
Mapping and anaesthetic
Your veins are mapped with ultrasound. Local anaesthetic fluid is placed around the vein, and you also have an anaesthetist looking after you in hospital.
02
Closing the vein
The laser fibre is positioned under ultrasound and the vein is sealed as the fibre is withdrawn.
03
Afterwards
Surface veins are treated if needed, a compression stocking goes on and you go home the same day.
Choosing a treatment

Radiofrequency, laser or glue?

The best method depends on your veins, and Dr McConnell will talk you through the options at your consultation.

Radiofrequency and laser ablation close the vein with heat. Of the minimally invasive treatments, they have the longest track record, with a low chance of the vein reopening, and are what Dr McConnell recommends for most people. He uses radiofrequency most often.

VenaSeal closes the vein with medical glue and needs only one small local anaesthetic injection, so it can be a good choice if you would find the injections used for heat treatment hard to tolerate. It is newer, so its long-term results are not yet as well established.

We charge the same for all three, so the choice can be made on what suits your veins, not on price.

CompareRadiofrequencyLaserVenaSeal
How the vein is closedHeat, from a radiofrequency catheterHeat, from a laser fibreMedical glue
AnaestheticLocal anaesthetic injected along the veinLocal anaesthetic injected along the veinOne small local anaesthetic injection where the catheter goes in
EvidenceLongest-term results, low chance of the vein reopeningLongest-term results, similar to radiofrequencyShorter track record, slightly higher chance of the vein reopening in studies
StockingsYes, for a period after treatmentYes, for a period after treatmentNot needed for the glue itself, but usually needed because sclerotherapy is done as well
WhereOur Manly rooms, or the Mater HospitalThe Mater HospitalOur Manly rooms, or the Mater Hospital

Compare: radiofrequency ablation · laser ablation · VenaSeal · foam sclerotherapy

Recovery

Recovery after treatment

Most people are back to normal life within a day or two.

Walking
Straight away. Walking is encouraged from the day of treatment.
Driving
After 24 hours.
Work
Usually after 24 to 48 hours, depending on how physical your job is.
Exercise
Strenuous exercise after 2 weeks.
Stockings
Compression stockings for a period afterwards. How long depends on your treatment, and we will tell you on the day.
Follow-up
A follow-up ultrasound to check the vein has closed. Follow-up ultrasound and any follow-up sclerotherapy are bulk billed.
Cost

What it costs

The same price applies whether the vein is closed with radiofrequency, laser or glue, and includes treatment of the surface veins at the same time. Payment plans are available through humm.

In our rooms
$3,000
Per leg, out of pocket, under local anaesthetic. Medicare pays a rebate when your ultrasound meets the clinical criteria.
In hospital, with private health insurance
$1,800
Per leg, Dr McConnell's gap, at the Mater Hospital with an anaesthetist. Your fund's excess and the anaesthetist's fee are separate.

See all fees

Dr Ryan McConnell, interventional radiologist
Your doctor

Dr Ryan McConnell

BMBS, FRANZCR · Interventional radiologist

Dr McConnell is an interventional radiologist and vein specialist, and performs every treatment himself. Interventional radiologists treat conditions through a needle, guided by imaging, every day. About varicose vein treatment

More about Dr McConnell

Questions

Common questions

Both are very effective, with similar long-term results. Dr McConnell uses radiofrequency most often, including in our rooms, and can perform either in hospital. About radiofrequency ablation

Some bruising and aching along the treated vein for a week or two is common, and settles with walking and simple pain relief.

Medicare pays a rebate when your ultrasound shows a faulty vein that meets the clinical criteria. The $3,000 per leg in our rooms is what you pay out of pocket. Follow-up sclerotherapy and your follow-up ultrasound are bulk billed. See all fees

You can book before you have one, but please get a referral from your GP before your appointment. It means Dr McConnell can keep your GP updated, and you can claim the Medicare rebate on your consultation.

Find out which treatment suits you

Your consultation includes an ultrasound and a written plan and quote, in Manly or St Leonards.

Request an appointment
(02) 9023 9970

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Information on this website is general and isn't a substitute for advice about your own health. For other interventional radiology procedures, visit drryanmcconnell.com.au.

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